Vikings changing artificial turfs, cite better injury data

EAGAN, Minn. — U.S. Bank Stadium, home of the Minnesota Vikings, will become the latest NFL facility to replace its playing surface with a version of artificial turf that scores better in injury data.

The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, which owns and operates the stadium, approved a $1.3 million bid for the project on Thursday. It will replace split-film turf, which is associated with the highest rate of non-contact lower extremity injuries among types of artificial turf used in NFL stadiums, based on data compiled by the Joint Football Surfaces Committee. the NFL and the NFL Players Association. In its place, the MSFA will install a monofilament version called Act Global Xtreme Turf DX.

Work will begin in February and will be ready in time for the 2024 season.

The Vikings will install the same surface in their indoor practice facility, according to Steve Poppen, the team's executive vice president and director of business administration. The Vikings were heavily involved in selecting the winning bid, along with the MSFA and ASM, the company that manages the stadium.

“Our number one priority was focused on the health and safety of the players as well as the performance of the field,” Poppen said. “THE [MSFA] and ASM were aligned with us on this point.”

Teams began replacing split-film turf last winter after NFL/NFLPA data showed a slight increase in the rate of injuries that could be attributed to playing surfaces. Three stadiums continued to use the film at slot this season: the Indianapolis Colts' Lucas Oil Stadium, the Cincinnati Bengals' Paycor Stadium and US Bank Stadium. The Colts also plan to change turf in 2024.

The Vikings chose not to make an immediate replacement last winter, vice president of player health and performance Tyler Williams said, to ensure an orderly selection process. The warranty for the current surface, installed in 2019, will expire after this season.

Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce suffered non-contact lower extremity injuries on the field in Week 5, and San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle s complained about the turf after a Week 7 game.

“I think our field has played very well this year, and I don't think any injury data suggests that there is a cluster of injuries on our field compared to others,” Williams said, adding that They didn't want to overreact to the NFL/NFLPA data and possibly “place themselves in a worse field.”

Earlier this season, NFLPA Executive Director Lloyd Howell called on the NFL to guarantee turf fields in all of its stadiums, even those with permanent roofs like U.S. Bank Stadium. Williams said he asked about options for a turf field during the Vikings' process, but found it wasn't viable. The facility typically hosts more than 200 events per year in addition to Vikings games.

“US Bank Stadium was built as a multi-use facility,” Poppen said. “It was designed for an artificial surface. We don't have the capacity to grow turf in this stadium at this time.”